The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-07
A swindline sprintine Match.

The sprnting match that had passing an
nouncement yesterday as sporting event. to
take place at Athletic Park during the morning,
resulted in the disgust of the stakeholder, the
escape of one of the competitors with the money
and the arrest of the other for drawing revolv-
er. VIM. Crider, of Lima O., and Thos. Brown,
of Decatur, ILL.,, have been DESTROYS of contesting
for supremacy in feetness of foot. Both had
friends with money to support them. Mr.. Rob-
erts. of Lima, had full faith in Orders powers;
in-law. Brown supported by Decatur
friends, principally j. NJ Wilson. The
race came to this city by accident.
1t was first announced for Terre Haute for Mon
day, but Order objected to running there on &C
count of the officiousness of Browns friends and
the enthusiasm they had worked up for him.
Order insisted that the race must occur in some
town where each competitor had an equal ad-
vantage with the crowd The arrangement was
then made to slip over here and run for the
stakes. which were said to be $4,000. but of the
exact amount nobody is certain. AS the betters
only wanted the money and the successful
Splinter his share of 1t. together with the glory
of being the feetest runner, no admission was
charged spectators
Either the announcement was short or sprint
ing does not have many admirers, for there were
not more than fifty persons at the park, includ-
ing the runners and their hackers, when the race
occurred The visiting parties stopped at the
Spencer House, but night before last Order and
his hackers took the precaution to settle for sup
per. breakfast and lodging They then went to
the park with incidental bills outstanding.
Down near the west fence of the grounds were
two or three hacks with doors open and drivers
the alert. ]. W. Scott, of Decatur, was
chosen referee. and H. c. Morris. of the same
place. and Mr.. Reamer. of Lima, o., the judges.
There was enough on the outside to impress
President Bryce, OF the Athletic Club. that
trouble would probably occur, and. while his
only " q of the climb
who only rented the park to the men, he sum-
moned the presence of the police. Super.
intendent Travis and Captain Campbell
went out just in time to see the sprinteys come
into the field, with pantaloons undergar
ments on. but each wore long overcoat. The
course. sixty yards, had been measured, and at
the firing of pistol the men were off, with
Order in the lead Brown could not overcome
the difference. At the goal Crider was yard
ahead, but he did not stop there. His objective
point led him to one of the carriages, into which
he jumped. Roberts, in the meantime, ran up
to Scott, the stakeholder, and, running his
hands into the latters overcoat pocket, secured
the money that was up on the race. Some say
| it was SO. 600. but the others have it rs low
| $500 Roberts, in the next instant. was off for
| Orders carriage into which he jumped. and
| then, with ready to the driver, pulled the
| door to with clash The driver cracked his
| whip, and away at full speed went the team
| through the western gate.
| This movement of Roberts incensed the Brown
party, particularly Brown himself, who reckless
| ~ drew a revolver with no purpose in view, ex-
| cept to brighten somebody. He had its muzzle
| directly in line with Superintendent Travis's
| breast. That officer placed him under arrest,
and to the station house went the prisoner and
| his immediate friends, all of whom were loud in
| their complaints about being duped. None of
them had anything to tell, except that they were
left with a large loss to groan over. Stake
holder Scott said: "Crder and Brown had
| rugged up practice-track on my farm, and were
in training all winter. Crider bad promised to
let Brown win the race here, and we pooled our
money to back our man. Brown was raised
with me, and we knew he was a square man,
but this other fellow did US up. had 81, 500 in
good cash. and portion of it was borrowed
money. Some of US had put up as high as
| ST, 800. was holding 1t in my hand half way
| out OF my pocket. when Roberts jumped on me
with oath and grabbed it."
Order. it is asserted. is q silver miner as we'll
| AS professional Splinter, and, with Roberts,
has played this dodge in several towns. From
the grounds he and his hackers disappeared as
| suddenly, leaving trace behind them, as il
they had been drawn into the clouds. Brown
| was released on $50 bail, and he and his friends
left the city on the earliest train.
| Brown, as he was leaving the city, said that
he did not think he would come here again to
take part in sprintng match. "We are victims
| OF misplaced confidence" he remarked. 81 will
| do nothing in the matter If a man catches me,
he is welcome to all he gets. I have had enough,
| and as for any detailed statement, have mono
| to make. l am no professional, but have fond
ness for sports and am always ready to bear the
| loss without whimper.' He said that he is
neither from Decatur nor Camargo, but beyond
| this he would not indicate anything in relation
| to his residence.